Is “Authentic Reality” Next in Entertainment?

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have become popular vehicles for content creation in and outside of amusement parks. They are able to transport consumers to new worlds and experiences unlike any device in the past, but their real strength may lie in the form of a third ‘reality’. That would be authentic reality, or the ability for a brand to connect with a user and elevate their experience through emotion.

That is what George Walker, Creative Director at Universal Studios Orlando said is the next step for entertainment industry. He was one of several industry experts at IAAPA 2019 who believes in the power of storytelling to improve entertainment value at amusement parks.

“If you’re using AR and VR and artificial reality, all of that together, throw in the authentic element to it to help tell that story and authentic reality just takes us that much further,” he said.

Every person who buys a ticket to an amusement park has different preferences, but as technology and an emphasis on storytelling continue to grow, parks are now better suited to customize their offerings to anyone.

“People can only learn, our brains can only learn and remember things when they can build some emotional connections,” Söhret Pakis, Director of Marketing at Polin Waterparks said.

MarketScale’s Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin caught up with insiders from several areas of the theme and attraction park industry at IAAPA 2019 to see how they continue to evolve as technology and consumer demands change.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Sports & Entertainment Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly Bridges Cultures and Markets to Power U.S.–China Business Growth
November 14, 2025

Baker Tilly’s U.S.–based China practice supports Chinese enterprises operating in the United States as well as U.S. companies with Chinese-heritage leadership. Team members such as Beverly Bian, Terry Dickens, and Lucy Ni work with clients ranging from early-stage ventures to major multinational organizations navigating cross-border growth. The practice distinguishes itself through its bilingual capabilities…

Read More
construction
Empowering Excellence: How Rick Ward Elevates Southwest Construction Services
November 13, 2025

In an industry where timelines tighten and jobsite complexities grow by the day, quality assurance has become one of construction’s most defining—and differentiating—disciplines. At its core, QA isn’t just about correcting mistakes; it’s about building systems and people capable of preventing them in the first place. This is especially true in specialized sectors…

Read More
training
Empowering Teams Through a Modern Training Culture
November 13, 2025

Training may be the backbone of any skilled trade, but in waterproofing—where mistakes can compromise entire structures—it becomes a defining competitive advantage. At Southwest Construction Services, the evolution of training reflects a larger industry shift: seasoned crews now rely less on formal classroom sessions and more on hyper-focused, on-site guidance tailored to the…

Read More
quality assurance
Ensuring Excellence: How Quality Assurance Shapes Every Successful Project
November 13, 2025

In an era of rising climate volatility and tighter construction tolerances, waterproofing has quietly become one of the most consequential guardians of a building’s long-term health. Too often, the industry treats it as an afterthought—something buried behind walls, beneath slabs, or under layers of finish—but the truth is that its success or failure can…

Read More